How to Grow Chili Peppers Indoors
Select your chili pepper variety., Opt for a plastic pot over a clay container., Choose a pot with a drainage hole., Sterilize the pot before use., Purchase potting mix.
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Select your chili pepper variety.
Dwarf ornamental peppers work best for indoor growing, since many of the large varieties may not have adequate room for their roots to develop in indoor containers. -
Step 2: Opt for a plastic pot over a clay container.
Clays like terra cotta can actually draw moisture out of the soil, especially in the warm, bright conditions required for growing chili peppers.
These peppers need a lot of moisture to grow and may dehydrate in a clay pot. , While chili peppers thrive on vast amounts of water, a drainage hole prevents too much excess water from gathering and drowning or rotting the roots. , Many containers, especially if previously used, contain hidden bacteria and insect eggs that can sabotage new plant life.
Wash your container out with hot water and soap to eliminate most threats. , Garden soil often contains bacteria that can damage your pepper seeds, preventing germination or hindering growth.
A multi-purpose compost mix purchased from a local gardening store should do the trick, but the higher quality soil you use, the better your odds are of successfully growing your plants.
Improve the quality of your soil further by mixing in some vermiculite. -
Step 3: Choose a pot with a drainage hole.
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Step 4: Sterilize the pot before use.
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Step 5: Purchase potting mix.
Detailed Guide
Dwarf ornamental peppers work best for indoor growing, since many of the large varieties may not have adequate room for their roots to develop in indoor containers.
Clays like terra cotta can actually draw moisture out of the soil, especially in the warm, bright conditions required for growing chili peppers.
These peppers need a lot of moisture to grow and may dehydrate in a clay pot. , While chili peppers thrive on vast amounts of water, a drainage hole prevents too much excess water from gathering and drowning or rotting the roots. , Many containers, especially if previously used, contain hidden bacteria and insect eggs that can sabotage new plant life.
Wash your container out with hot water and soap to eliminate most threats. , Garden soil often contains bacteria that can damage your pepper seeds, preventing germination or hindering growth.
A multi-purpose compost mix purchased from a local gardening store should do the trick, but the higher quality soil you use, the better your odds are of successfully growing your plants.
Improve the quality of your soil further by mixing in some vermiculite.
About the Author
Andrea Jordan
Creates helpful guides on practical skills to inspire and educate readers.
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